Both gasped for breath, and leaning cautiously over
peeped down at a big black snake which had glided in at the front door.
Then, pale and scared-looking, they stared across at each other.
The snake crawled over to the safe and drank up some milk which had been
spilt on the floor. Mother saw its full length and groaned. The snake
wriggled to the leg of the table.
"Look out!" cried Sal, gathering up her skirts and dancing about on
the sofa.
Mother squealed hysterically.
Joe appeared. He laughed.
"You wretch!" Mother yelled. "Run!--RUN, and fetch your father!"
Joe went and brought Jack.
"Oh-h, my God!"--Mother moaned, as Jack stood at the door, staring
strangely at her. "Kill it!--why don't he kill it?"
Jack did n't move, but talked to himself. Mother shuddered.
The reptile crawled to the bedroom door. Then for the first time the
man's eyes rested upon it. It glided into the bedroom, and Mother and Sal
ran off for Dad.
Jack fixed his eyes on the snake and continued muttering to himself.
Several times it made an attempt to mount the dressing-table. Finally it
succeeded. Suddenly Jack's demeanour changed. He threw off his ragged
hat and talked wildly.
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